《The Forgotten Lands》Chapter 14: Westward March

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Hex witches specialise in summoning magic, from which they call forth dangerous demons and other abominations. Though they can still use other magic's, this will be their primary method of killing.

What is far more dangerous and hence, why we’ll be needing an army, is their joint power. By forming a coven, these summoners instead of conjuring one or two monsters, can summon a horde 10 to 100 hundred times the covens number, depending on the skill and level of preparation.

Therefore this coven will be able to summon an army that will need the brunt of our own to fend off. But depending on their number and how long they spent preparing before summoning, the level of losses can vary hugely. The amount of deaths would be uncountable if our army breaks and flees from the horrors, with men being cut down and butchered from behind.

Unless you find a way past the demons or manage to push through them, you’ll never be able to reach the coven.

Finally, we actually can stop sitting on our arses and get things done. Me and the rest of our squadron are to march with the army deep into the Forgotten Lands, around three times further than when searching the ruins, which means we’d have to spend around four days to get there. This coupled with that only half of us would be sleeping, whilst the remaining half fights of the monsters that night brings, I doubt this will be a fun experience for most.

Before arriving at our destination, we are expected to be attacked by a demonic army. It is at this point I break though their ranks with our squadron and continue forth, to get to the area the witches are suppose to be in. Then after locating it, we’re to infiltrate and kill all witches inside.

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I was also given a quick briefing on what a hex witch was based on the lieutenant’s experiences and the basic knowledge given to us by the witch hunters. ‘The Weeping Shadow’ is also supposedly an all female coven, though I’m not sure why they’d go though the effort to restrict membership based on gender.

Now I guess it’s time pack our provisions and move out.

The first day was pretty uneventful, although some of the monsters did know of our presence, they took a look at our number and decided it wasn’t worth it. Perhaps they are more intelligent than I give them credit for.

It was the second day we got some losses, relatively few, but still losses. 10 deaths from people deciding to drink water from a clear looking pond, even though they had been explicitly told not to drink any water found, and due to this we had to be told a second time. Another 82 died from monsters picking though straying to far to the sides, and then killing the responsible friend who attempts to get him closer to the formation. By the end of the day, larger group of people up to fifty in number we’re being sent after reported stalking groups. Out of the 12 only 2 were completely wiped out, 6 groups were wounded but managed to escape. The rest retreated back every time someone was sent after them, only to return to our flanks after they’d gone.

These group are primarily made of the Red Daggers, since they give the best chance of catching them before they retreat back. Not a lot of the Black Hound were sent out, due to our role being the infiltration of the witches compound, so I still didn’t have a lot to do. I want to use some of my magic to go to the ‘dream land’ but it’s too risky with those damn hunters lurking around.

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The constantly helmeted one gives me the creeps, something just feels…off about him.

The third day the losses increased and they were forced to use some of the Black Hounds, but just the ones not the ones going to do the infiltration. So I’m still bored, but not for long. I look forward to the knowledge I can find with these witches, but I’m unsure whether I should take anything back with me, as I might be checked for magical items by the Malleus Maleficarum when I get back.

Today 128 people died. Non of which by stupidly straying from the army, but due to organised groups of monsters driving into us twice before retreating back. But 40 of these deaths was due to a group of red daggers going out to subjugate a group of goblin harassing us, only to be ambushed by something else, completely slaughtering the group and leaving no survivors.

Because of this, we don’t know what monster or monsters killed them.

The morning of the forth day is when we were hit.

An estimate of 2000 monsters, mostly consisting of gnolls. A cruel humanoid wolf-man, that feeds of raw flesh. Most of these have crude spears with an iron tip, but wear no armour except for what looks to be generals or elite units who are better equipped.

Now I have to wait for an opening to slip though and do so.

Also, for this our squadron has been given three other members who have experience in this type of mission, straight from the Captains own guard.

Their names are; Suculus, Duris and Marcos. All of them look to be good fighters.

This will also be the first time actually fighting under our squadron leader, rather than Andris.

If we don’t see an opening soon, we’d have to backtrack and loop around the two armies, which would take longer. Though it seems all of the other groups but one has already done so.

All together there are five Black Hound squadrons attempting this, but if you encounter heavy resistance and/or take too many losses, we are instructed to retreat back to the army. So it’s likely that only one or two of these squadrons might actually make it to the witches.

In addition to the Black Hounds, 3 groups of the Dancing Swans are trying their luck, though their group sizes are twice the size of ours.

This coupled with the fact they aren’t particularly stealthy makes it unlikely any of them will make it.

Finally, the army is sending 5 groups of 10, of their supposed ‘high capable skirmishers’, but I bet one of the generals just doesn’t like the idea of fully relying on mercenaries to complete this mission.

After a few more minutes of waiting, Lt. Petrus spots a possible opportunity. Towards our side is a unit of the Taldarian Juggernauts slowly pushing through a thinner section of their army, probably looking to break through and loop around to flank the enemy. We can therefore also use the opening to break of from the two armies and travel north-west, bringing us away from the conflict before we continue west towards the witches.

With this we move to the back of the juggernauts formation, getting ready to run before the enemy can react to the break in their ranks and close it.

Any moment now…

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